People and Places: Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II - A Decade of Excellence
The Omanhene of the Adansi Traditional Area, Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, known privately as Kwaku Bonsra, has held the esteemed position of Adansihene since February 24, 2014.
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For ten years, he has upheld the rich legacy of the Adansi Kingdom as its 16th occupant.
The Adansi Kingdom's rich history dates back to the 1600s, with a unique transition from patrilineal to matrilineal inheritance. Initially, the kingdom followed a patrilineal inheritance system, where sons succeeded their fathers to the throne.
However, this changed during the reign of Akora Ofori Apau, also known as "Akora Kukurupa" due to his stout stature in old age.
Akora Ofori Apau, from the Asene family, occupied the Kotobon mu enclave (now Adansi Dompoase). During his reign, Nana Obiri Yeboah, an Adansi native from Abadwum, ruled Kwaman (now Kumasi).
Obiri Yeboah sought Akora Ofori Apau's support in the war against Denkyira, but the Adansi King declined, citing two reasons: Denkyira's execution of his grandfather, and his kinsman's role in his father's death
In the early 1600s, Akora Ofori Apau and his subjects migrated, settling briefly at Bresiako and then Agona Nsabaa. After the war, they returned home, stopping at the Banka River.
Here, Akora Ofori Apau made a covenant with his people, declaring Bonsra's lineage as the sole heirs to the stool, sealing it with a sacrificial offer – his younger sister.
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Abu, a traditional priest, performed sacred rites, transforming Bonsra's skin and adding "W'Afriyie" or "Afriyie" ("you have come well") to his name.
In recognition of Abu's role, Bonsra added "Abu" to his name, becoming Abu Bonsra Afriyie.
The people then proceeded to Oman Agyinae (now Amanyinase), where Asakyiri Nyankomago (present-day Kusa) joined them. The Eko)na family's power was solidified through the sacrifice of Bonsra's grandmother.
The women sang and chanted, "fa wo man!" ("rule and dominate your town"), which was later corrupted to Fomena by European colonisers.
This marked the beginning of the matrilineal system, making Adansi the first in Ghana to have a queen mother. To date, only men of the Bonsra family ascend to the stool.
Today, Fomena stands as the capital of the Adansi traditional council, comprising seven divisions.
Under Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II's leadership, the Adansi Kingdom has witnessed peaceful resolution of conflicts, transparent governance and community development initiatives.
His 10-year anniversary theme, "A Decade of Peace Building, Accountability and Transparent Leadership: The Adansi Story and the Expectations of its Traditional Leaders," reflects his commitment to progress.